Computer Science

Computer science is the study of how computation works, what problems can be solved algorithmically and how to design systems that are efficient, reliable and secure. It is a discipline with both deep theoretical foundations and immediate practical applications, and the skills it develops are among the most sought after in the graduate market. At the University of Brighton, this three-year full-time programme includes a sandwich placement year and a work placement, ensuring that you graduate with professional experience alongside your academic qualification.

You will cover the core areas of computer science, including algorithms and data structures, programming languages, computer architecture and operating systems, databases, networks and security, software engineering and human-computer interaction. The programme develops both your theoretical understanding of how computational systems work and your practical ability to design, implement, test and evaluate software. The placement year places you within a real technology organisation for an extended period, giving you professional experience that typically accelerates your career progression significantly after graduation.

Computer science graduates are in demand across virtually every sector. Software development, systems engineering, data science, cybersecurity, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, web development and technology consulting are among the most common career paths. The sandwich placement experience is particularly valued by employers who want graduates who understand professional contexts as well as academic concepts, and it often leads directly to a graduate job offer with the placement employer.

The degree also provides a strong foundation for postgraduate study in specialist areas of computer science, information security, data science or software engineering.